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iPad vs Android Tablets: Which to Choose?

From budget-friendly options for the kids to productivity powerhouses, we’re breaking down the differences between Apple and Android tablets to help you find a tablet that fits your needs.

JON STONE|
updated 01 Mar 2019 17:21

If you pick up a tablet at your local electronics store or online, there’s a good chance it’s running Apple’s iOS or
Google’s Android operating system. Understanding what each operating system offers is a simple way to decide which
tablets are best for you.

For basic media consumption or kids, we think the Amazon Fire HD 8 is an ideal option.

But if you’re looking for more information about how these two popular operating systems -- and the tablets running
them -- stack up, we’ll cover everything you need to know in this guide.

The Pros and Cons of Apple’s iPads

PROS

Easy to use, consistent software

With basic organization and an easy-to-learn interface, you can get comfortable
with your tablet quickly. Better still, the interface is similar across all iOS devices. So if you have an iPhone
already or upgrade to a new tablet later, using another iOS device should feel familiar.

Great quality (even on the lowest models)

With metal cases, flush screens, and a sleek design, iPads are some of the
best-made tablets available in terms of finish and premium feel.

Good performance (even on the lowest models)

The entry-level iPad -- the iPad Mini 4 can play games, multi-task, and stream HD video with ease and performance only increases from there.

Screened app store

Apple approves every app in the iTunes App Store. This means you can always trust apps to work well and not worry about malware or bugs.

More “high-end” apps

MacOS has a reputation for being the best choice for creatives and content producers. The iPad is no exception with an excellent selection of graphic design, video editing, audio editing, and other productivity-centric apps.

Great for gaming

While Android has some awesome games, some of the best mobile games are exclusive to iOS.

Tons of accessories

Whether you’re looking for active stylus options, need a case to keep your tablet safe, or want to add a keyboard to your tablet for easier emailing or writing, you’ll find a huge assortment of accessory options -- both direct from Apple and from third parties.

Excellent native integration with the Apple ecosystem

If you own an Apple laptop, desktop, phone, or media streamer, your tablet should integrate seamlessly with the rest of your Apple devices. From streaming video and screen mirroring to duplicating notifications or backing up settings, you’ll find a level of integration Android cannot offer.

Options for high-end productivity

The top end of Apple’s iPad lineup features powerful tablets that could replace
your laptop or PC with ease. These aren’t just basic media-streaming tablets, they’re high-performance devices capable of everything from video and photo editing to graphic design and 3D modeling.

CONS

Fewer customization options

Apple offers a consistent experience across iOS devices because it locks down many of the customization options you’d find on Android. If you’re a fan of tweaking every last setting, Apple might not be a good fit.

Some neat apps don’t pass Apple’s screening:

While the iTunes App Store offers an excellent range of apps, you might
find options from indie developers and other third-parties don’t make the cut to receive a place on the store.

No storage expansion

Unlike many Android tablets, you cannot expand the storage on your iPad using a microSD card or flash drive. Consider how much you’ll need before buying.

More expensive than many Android tablets

While high-end Android tablets can compete with the high-end iPads in
pricing, Android offers budget and mid-tier options at prices that iPads cannot match.

The Pros and Cons of Android Tablets

PROS

Huge variety of options:

From budget-friendly, small tablets for the kids to large, high-performance slates designed for work and play, you’ll find a full spectrum of options from a range of manufacturers in the Android tablet market.

Potentially lower prices

If you’re not looking for a top-end device, some budget Android tablets can cost you as little as a dinner out with friends.

Lots of customization options

From tweaking the interface to installing custom firmware and software, Android
allows you to alter a huge range of device options and features to suit your liking.

CONS

Less secure app store

While Google screens apps using software before they hit the Google Play Store, they don’t personally peek at everything on their store. This means that from time to time, poor quality apps and even the occasional bit of malware slip through the filters. However, if you stick to well-known apps, you have little to worry about.

Varied quality and performance (even within price tiers)

Since Android tablets are made by a range of manufacturers,
quality and performance can vary greatly among similarly priced options. Always check tablet reviews to know what to expect before spending your hard-earned money.

Customization options may cause confusion

While the ability to tweak a range of features and settings on your
device -- and even alter the interface -- is great if you want to customize things, it can be intimidating if you’re looking for a simple experience.

Less native integration options with other devices

Apart from the recent addition of browser-based messaging to Android Messages, there is little in the way of official integration with Android and Windows, MacOS, or Linux. So don’t expect to link your Android tablet up with your phone or computer -- other than using the same Google account -- without installing extra apps to do so.

Even high-end Android tablets aren’t quite honed for productivity

If you’re looking to get things done and require powerful hardware and apps, Android isn’t as strong as iOS.

Factors to Consider

We cover a range of in-depth considerations when buying a tablet in our Tablet Buyer’s Guide. However, the following
considerations should help if you’re curious about how Android tablets and iPads might compare.

Pricing

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly tablet, Android is really your only option. While Apple offers a range of
iPad models, even the lowest tier tablet (currently the iPad Mini 4) comes in well above the price of many
entry-level -- and even some mid-tier -- Android tablets.

Android’s prices top out around the middle tier of Apple’s lineup. So in many ways, this is the sweet spot in terms
of sheer selection.

On the high-end, Apple is the brand to beat. Their iPad Pro series offers market-leading performance, excellent
design, accurate displays, and a level of polish that Android cannot touch.

Intended Usage

If you’re looking for a basic option for media consumption or the occasional email, the Amazon Fire series of
tablets is hard to beat. They’re priced low enough to be nearly disposable and cover the basics well.

If you prefer easy access to accessories, iPads are likely the better choice as you can pick up most official Apple
options at any Apple Store and many major electronics retailers.

Storage Requirements

With cloud storage availability and streaming services, the need for huge amounts of storage isn’t as important as
it once was.

However, if you prefer to store movies and TV shows on your tablet, want to install a lot of apps, or don’t want to
worry about having Internet access to retrieve your files, ensuring you have enough storage is essential.

Android tablets are more flexible in terms of storage options than iPads. Many allow you to add a microSD card to
expand storage affordably. Some models also support external hard drives and flash drives through USB-on-the-go
adapters.

While iPads do not offer storage expansion, they offer more generous internal storage amounts in most cases. Just be
sure to determine storage needs before buying to avoid issues later.

However, as long as you’re in the mid-tier pricing, you’ll find acceptable screens on most Android tablets and all
of Apple’s lineup.

When you get into entry-level prices, things get murky. You’ll want to check out tablet reviews and see what people
are saying. Amazon’s tablets offer a decent display and an ultra-affordable price if you don’t mind using Amazon’s
App Store.

Final Thoughts

In many ways the choice between Android tablets and iPads is personal. There isn’t one operating system or model
that is perfect for everyone.

If you’re looking for the lowest prices, Android is the obvious winner -- but the quality might be questionable.

In the mid-tier, Android and the entry-level iPads are similar in terms of power and finish.

For high-end tablets and productivity, iPads lead by a substantial margin in terms of specs, apps, accessories, and
overall quality.

With an idea of which operating system suits your needs best, you can dive deeper into considerations using our
Tablet Buyer’s Guide or look at the options available using our tablet comparison tool. Both offer additional ways
to sort through features, prices, and other criteria to find an ideal fit for your budget and intended usage.

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